Bonjour mes amis,
It's another beautiful Tuesday, and as you know, that means it's time for #TutuTuesday! I'm your pink tutu-loving, time-traveling fashionista Emma, bringing you another peek into the glorious history of the tutu, from the heart of the dance world, the fabulous Parisian theatre.
Today, let's spin the clock back to the 1st of April, 1862. The weather here in Paris is positively divine. The streets are awash with a gorgeous blend of springtime colours, and the air buzzes with a vibrant energy that only Paris can conjure up.
But it's not just the sunshine and the spring blossom that's causing all the excitement, my darlings. It's the Ballet, my darlings, it's the Ballet! The OpƩra de Paris is bursting at the seams with anticipation for the opening night of the new season. This year, they're presenting a grand, extravagant performance of Giselle, the story of a peasant girl driven to madness by love and betrayal. The anticipation is almost electric.
What's with the Fashion in 1862?
Speaking of electrifying, I can tell you the excitement around fashion is almost as big as that for the ballet. Today's fashionable lady is sporting a beautifully intricate, voluminous skirt - imagine tiers upon tiers of billowing tulle, like a swirling cloud of feathers. Yes, my darlings, the crinoline reigns supreme!
Remember how much we all love tulle and layers in our tutus? This 1862 skirt is like a magnificent, swirling prelude to the ballerina's tutu. It's like the fashion world itself is getting into the spirit of dance!
The colours are truly something else too. Delicate, soft pastel shades dominate, like those pretty peach blossoms we saw just last week at the park. They compliment the blush pink, light blue and subtle lilacs adorning ladiesā bodices - such elegant combinations!
Oh, and let's not forget those gorgeous bonnets, adorned with silk ribbons, feathers, and delicate lace. Imagine those swirling on stage alongside a ballerinaās perfectly poised head - the ultimate visual feast!
Tutus - On the Way to the Spotlight
Now, my dears, the ballet world, unlike the fashion scene, is experiencing a delightful moment of transition. As you may already know, ballerinas in 1862 are moving away from the long, heavy romantic tutu that we saw in the 19th century.
Think of it, these ladies were swathed in yards and yards of billowing fabric that was beautiful to look at, but terribly restrictive to dance in. You see, dancing was more about artistry and elegance, but not so much about fast-paced movement and graceful, acrobatic turns like we see in ballet today.
These ladies were wearing what they called the tutu-romantique, a longer tutu that was basically a shortened version of the crinoline ladies wore, you know, that super large billowing, skirt-like garment! It swished and flowed with a regal grace, creating an elegant, otherworldly feel.
Now, hold onto your tutus, darlings, because this change in fashion will soon dramatically alter the tutuās silhouette! But before that, the "long romantic tutu", which was essentially a very elaborate mini crinoline, will continue to sway its way across Parisian stages, delighting audiences for another year or so! I love this time for fashion - it was a period of exciting transitions!
The Majesty of Giselle
But enough about tutus and dresses, my dear friends, because, as much as we all adore fashion, it's time to talk about the most important thing in all this: the ballet itself. Giselle is a tale as old as time - love, loss, heartbreak, and the power of forgiveness. It's a story that touches every heart.
This is why I love visiting the theatre, my dears! Every time, the excitement around these shows builds until itās impossible to sit still. And it's the very same energy I love to find at ballet classes and street performances too. The shared sense of artistry and appreciation! It's simply magnificent.
Oh, and did I mention, darling, that the Parisian audiences in the late 1800s had an unspoken ritual to create a tonnerre d'applause, or a storm of applause, after every magnificent performance! Youād hear people shouting āBravoā! āBrava!ā and āEncore!ā. Now wouldnāt that be fun to see for ourselves!
Today, as we remember this wonderful moment in time, I urge you, my darlings, to go out, buy a beautiful pink tutu (you know, a colour that celebrates this glorious time!) and create your very own ātonnerre dāapplauseā!
Enjoy, and I'll see you next Tuesday for more tutu fun, here at #TutuTuesday!
Until then, happy pirouette-ing,
Emma
A little note from your pink tutu-wearing fashionista:
The wonderful Parisian Ballet Theatre is an essential visit for anyone, no matter the time period! So, to help all my lovely, tutuesque fans travel the world and find more moments like this, I perform every week in ballet shows, and by train. Every journey to see the most incredible performances, and then share those tales and memories on www.pink-tutu.com. And you, dear readers, are why I do it. If this blog has brought you joy, please join my pink-tutu family by commenting, subscribing, and sharing with your friends! The more of us sharing the magic of the tutu, the better!
